EH&S
Figure 1: Electronics Evolving environmental standards
Industry Supply Chain drive green process and products
Integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers have a
strong record of answering the call for increased
process complexity and product capability. IC
manufacturers also have excelled at examining
the environmental impact of their processes and
ensuring compliance with evolving global
environmental regulations. The adoption of
legislation aimed at reducing environmental
impact at all phases of a product’s life cycle,
including development, manufacturing, use, and
end-of-life, has gained momentum. This impetus
has resulted in advanced processes with reduced
environmental impact and eco-friendly products
that embody the principles of recycling,
reducing, and reusing.
Various regions are working to establish
themselves as green manufacturing leaders. The
European Union (EU) has enacted numerous laws,
for environmental improvements from such as Reduction of Hazardous Substances
companies that are respected for strong (RoHS), directed at minimizing the environmental
environmental performance. Furthermore, just impacts of manufacturing and disposal. China has
as proactive pollution prevention is better than followed suit with a new law, “Chinese RoHS,”
16
remedial solutions, environmental supply chain that targets the same hazardous substances
costs can be prevented when sustainability is regulated by the EU law. And the United States
www
built into product design. GSC initiatives should has responded with corollary legislation, such as
.eur be initiated and addressed in partnership with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, restricting the use
oasiasemiconductor
suppliers and customers. For example, many of lead and other heavy metals in commercial
electronics companies regularly conduct and industrial products and pending landmark
“supplier days” at which they collaborate to legislation on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
identify opportunities for environmental and energy policy.
performance improvements. The benefit of these The most thoroughly protective
summits is to engage all stakeholders in GSC environmental regulations have been enacted in
.com
initiatives as a partnership designed to benefit Europe. The RoHS Directive, announced in 2003
all parties. and effective in July 2006, bans lead (Pb),
It is important to appreciate that GSC mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and hexavalent
square4
Issue IV 2009
initiatives may not be simple and quick to chromium (Cr+6), as well as two brominated
implement because the business processes flame retardants from electronics sold in the
required to sum up supply chain data must be European market. The impact of the RoHS
implemented. Accurate data throughout the Directive on semiconductor and electronics
supply chain is needed to facilitate sound supply manufacturers has been profound. Because
chain decisions. For example, Dell Computers supply chains today traverse the globe and
was one of the first IT companies to join combine materials and components from many
London’s Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an different regions, leading electronics
independent organization that provides suppliers manufacturers have responded by developing
access to standard methodologies in order to lead- and mercury-free manufacturing and
report carbon emissions. Using CDP-developed assembly processes in compliance with RoHS
protocols, Dell now requires its suppliers to requirements.
report emissions from their operations. Other The Waste Electrical and Electronic
major players in the electronics industry, Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which became
including Acer, HP, and IBM, having recognized effective in the EU in 2005, holds manufacturers
the benefit to their brand recognition, are also financially responsible for collecting and
working with CDP to assess supply chain carbon recycling all used electronics in the EU. Applying
footprint. to virtually all electronics products, this new EU
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